The NBA season opens on Tuesday with a much anticipated matchup between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. The matchup features the defending Eastern Conference champions with their aging big three in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen squaring off with the new big three in Miami composed of Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

Interestingly, Wade and James were both eliminated in the playoffs last season by the Boston Celtics.

Miami made the biggest move in the offseason by acquiring James as a free agent out of Cleveland and former Toronto Raptors power forward Chris Bosh. Along with an assembly of veteran role players, the Miami Heat has become an instant title contender. On paper, Miami has one the strongest rosters in the Eastern Conference. How well they blend as a team will be put to the test against the Celtics.

The Boston Celtics are aching to redeem themselves after losing to the LA Lakers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season. The Boston big three is aging but they have another rising superstar in point guard Rajon Rondo. Starting center Kendrick Perkins is sidelined by injury until early next year but the Celtics have acquired the services of not one but two O’Neals, Shaquille and Jermaine. Shaq may slow down an already slowing down Boston offense but his presence in the middle should relieve Garnett of unnecessary banging inside the paint.

Shaq may no longer be a major factor for the Celtics with age having caught up with him. Just seeing him play against former teammates Wade with whom he won an NBA ring and James with whom he failed last season is one more reason to look forward to this game.

The Miami Heat has become the team people love to hate. Seeing them fall against a storied franchise like the Celtics may attract attention to a regular season opener. Catch the two Eastern Conference powerhouses collide live on TNT at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday.

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